Welcome to Southern Arizona Stories – Where God’s blessings bloom in every corner of the desert.

Hi! From Karen and Heather at Blessings in the Desert! Come on in and soak up some inspiration for your Christ following journey! Check out our uplifting devotionals, discover our featured artisan or small business of the month, and enjoy fun recipes or crafts that bring a taste of desert life!

Blessings in the Desert Conversation with Shire Boulevard

By Heather Jefferson

​

Heather:  Welcome, Sarah! I’m so excited to talk to you about your journey with Shire Boulevard today. Let’s start at the beginning—was this always a dream of yours, or did God open a door you didn’t expect?

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Sarah: That question almost makes me chuckle because the answer is both—it was always God, and I just had to catch up.

As a kid, I always wanted to be a baker—well, a baker and an actress, but that’s a story for another day! I would get bakeware and cookbooks from Williams Sonoma for birthday gifts, and while my classmates doodled unicorns and flowers, I was drawing cupcakes on everything. But there was a problem—I could not bake to save my life.

I mean, not even a chocolate chip cookie. Not a boxed cake. Every attempt turned into a disaster. My sister even told me I belonged on Nailed It! because I had all the enthusiasm but zero execution. People begged me to stop trying—it was that bad.

Then, when I was pregnant with our fourth child, Winnie, I kept seeing women fall in love with sourdough on social media. I was mesmerized by the process, the patience, and the artistry of it all. Even though I was sure I would fail, I couldn’t resist trying.

I told no one—I didn’t want witnesses to another disaster. I prayed—hard—over that first loaf. I stood by the oven, pleading with God that this one time, it would work. And somehow, to everyone’s absolute shock, it did. I put the dough in the fire, and art emerged.

​

Heather: I love that! And the name of your bakery, Shire Boulevard, is so beautiful and unique. What does it mean to you?

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Sarah: It’s woven from so many pieces of my life. First, it’s a nod to Wilshire Boulevard in Tucson, where I grew up. My parents still live there, in a home filled with love, warmth, and encouragement. It’s where ‘the baker who couldn’t bake but wouldn’t give up’ took shape, long before I ever pulled a successful loaf from the oven.

And then there’s my husband, Garrett. He introduced me to The Lord of the Rings, and it became our comfort series—the thing we put on when we just want to feel at home. When we think of peace, warmth, and the beauty of a simple, good life, we think of The Shire.

So when I was dreaming up a name for the bakery, Garrett said, ‘What about Shire Boulevard?’ The moment he said it, I knew—that was it. It was the perfect blend of past and present, family and home, and all the love I’ve been blessed with.

 

Heather: That’s such a beautiful testimony of how God weaves together our stories! Can you share a moment when you truly felt His hand guiding you in this venture?

Sarah: Honestly? It’s every single day and every single loaf.

For 33 years, every baking attempt ended in disaster. I tried, I failed, I tried again—until finally, with sourdough, something changed. And it wasn’t my skill. It wasn’t my effort. It was grace.

This beautiful, nourishing food is not my own strength. It’s a daily reminder that when I step aside and let go of the pressure to force something to work, He provides. He takes the simplest things—flour, water, and salt—and turns them into something that feeds, comforts, and brings people together.

​

Heather: That’s powerful. So, what about sourdough made you fall in love with it?

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Sarah: I recently heard someone say that sourdough is like a Tamagotchi for adults, and I think that’s why I love it! It’s alive, it needs care, and if you forget about it too long, things get real weird.

But more than that, sourdough is a relationship. It’s not just mixing ingredients and waiting for a timer—it’s watching, learning, and adjusting. It teaches patience and reminds me that good things take time.

That first loaf? I prayed over it like I had never prayed over dough before. And when it worked, it felt like a gift. It still does. Every loaf reminds me that sometimes, the things we think we aren’t made for are exactly what we’re called to do.

​

Heather: That’s so true! And speaking of patience, sourdough is such a labor of love. What do you enjoy most about the process?

​

Sarah: I love how alive it is. You start with just flour and water, and with care and consistency, it becomes something that can feed people. That transformation never stops feeling like a blessing to me.

I also love getting my hands in the dough, feeling it change under my fingertips. There’s something grounding about it, like pressing pause on a busy world and just being present.

And, of course, there’s that moment when you pull a loaf from the oven—the deep golden crust, the crackling as it cools. That’s when you realize it was all worth it. Sourdough reminds me that the best things in life take time, and that love—whether in bread or in life—is best shown through patience and care.

​

Heather: That’s beautiful. So beyond the bread itself, what’s the heart behind Shire Boulevard? What do you hope your bakery brings to others?

​

Sarah: More than anything, I want this bakery to remind people to come back to the table. In a world that moves too fast, that prioritizes convenience over connection, I want Shire Boulevard to be a place that invites people to slow down, to gather, and to share something real.

Bread has always been sacred—it nourishes, sustains, and brings people together. Throughout Scripture, we see how God uses bread as both provision and invitation. That’s what I want this bread to be: hospitality on a plate. A way to invite people in, to nourish not just the body but the soul.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Heather: That’s such a powerful mission. Have you had any moments with customers that reminded you why you do what you do?

Sarah: So many! But one that stands out happened at my daughters’ birthday party. I had made the cupcakes—my own recipe, something I had never done before. A dear friend took a bite, stopped me, and asked, ‘Who said you couldn’t bake?’

I laughed and told her, ‘Oh, friend, I COULDN’T bake before.’ And without missing a beat, she said, ‘The devil is a liar.’

It hit me in a way I didn’t expect. Because she was right. For years, I believed I wasn’t made for this. But God had other plans. He always does.

That moment reminded me to trust Him more, to step boldly into the work He’s given me, and to keep baking in His name. Because this isn’t just about bread—it’s about stepping into the gifts He’s placed in our hands and using them to nourish others.

Heather: That’s incredible. So, how can people support Shire Boulevard and its mission?

Sarah: The best way is simply to be part of it!

If you’re local, come grab a loaf! If you’re not, follow along, engage with our posts, and share our story with a friend. And most of all? Pray. This bakery is so much bigger than me. I want every loaf, every post, and every interaction to reflect His goodness.

Whether you support by buying bread, sharing a post, or simply cheering us on, know that it means the world. You are part of this table, and I’m so grateful you’re here.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​